One of the best-looking Japanese aircraft of World War II, the Mitsubishi Ki-46 was designed to meet an Imperial Japanese Army requirement of 1937 for a higher performance reconnaissance aircraft to supersede the Ki-15. A cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable tailwheel landing gear, powered by two 671kW Mitsubishi Ha-21-l radial engines, the two-seat Ki-46 prototype was flown for the first time in late November 1939. Early testing showed that maximum speed of the Ki-46 was some 10% below specification, but as its speed and overall performance was better than in-service army and navy aircraft the type was ordered into production as the Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane Model 1 (Ki-46-l), later allocated the Allied codename 'Dinah'. Early operational problems with the Ki-46-l resulted in production of the improved Ki-46-ll with 805kW Mitsubishi Ha-102 engines, this powerplant giving a maximum speed slightly in excess of the original specification. The Ki-46-ll was the major production version, with more than 1,000 built, a number of which were converted later into three-seat radio/navigation trainers under the designation Ki-46-ll KAI. Subsequent variants included the faster and improved Ki-46-III of which 609 were built, a small number being converted later as Ki-46-lll KAI fighter interceptors and Ki-46lllb ground-attack aircraft. Ki-46-IV prototypes, with 1119kW Mitsubishi Ha-112-ll Ru turbocharged engines to give improved high altitude performance, were under test when the war ended.

In service from the beginning to the end of the Pacific war, the Ki-46 proved to be an important aircraft for the Japanese army, but the growing capability and number of Allied fighters resulted in unacceptably high losses of Ki-46-IIs. However, the improved performance of the Ki-46-lll meant that this
version was virtually free from interception until the final stage of the war. Production of all versions totalled 1,742, all built by Mitsubishi.

Specification

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MODEL

Ki-46III

CREW

2

ENGINE

2 x Army Type 4, 1125kW

WEIGHTS

Take-off weight

5722-6500 kg

12615 - 14330 lb

Empty weight

3831 kg

8446 lb

DIMENSIONS

Wingspan

14.7 m

48 ft 3 in

Length

11.0 m

36 ft 1 in

Height

3.88 m

13 ft 9 in

Wing area

32.0 m2

344.44 sq ft

PERFORMANCE

Max. speed

630 km/h

391 mph

Ceiling

10500 m

34450 ft

Range w/max.fuel

4000 km

2486 miles

3-View

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A three-view drawing (752 x 965)

Comments

paul Scott, 27.01.2015

Fine-looking and excellent performance aircraft. something like the equivalent of the Mosquito or the P-38 Lightning and, the JU 88

Ron, 21.10.2014

The Ho-203 heavy 37mm cannon fired 120 rpm with a good range of 900 meters. Of course the sustained recoil is too much for such an oblique angle. It would do just fine on the Dinah's centerline along with the twin Ho-5 20mm cannons if there is room. If not, the twins can do very well obliquely angled 30 degrees in the dorsal position. Make it a single-seater day fighter or add a radar operator for night interception with a flexible 20mm rear cannon.The Ki 46-III Kai could have been a terror against B-29s after October 1944 instead of such a disappointing interceptor and easy meat for US escort fighters.

Ron, 06.10.2014

Once the oblique 37mm was proven unsatisfactory, why didn't it just trade places with the twin 20mm canons in the nose?

This was successful in other twin engine interceptors against the B-29s. Additionally a nose located 37mm cannon would have the least recoil problem. Then a sufficient burst could make a dent. The dual threat of the oblique twin 20mm cannon efficacy is proven. To me it's a no-brainer. The Gekko and Nick interceptors that used twin 20mm oblique cannons would then be eclipsed by the faster, more potent Dinah interceptor. If only...

SS, 11.02.2014

This plane was called "ShinShiTei" it did not have a fancy nickname like the other fighters. It meant "new commanding surveillance. Though it is called surveillance plane towards the end of the war it was also used for "kamikaze". Sad to see such a beautiful plane be handled in such way.

Phelan Wolf, 19.09.2012

That is one seriously sleek airplane...it's almost mesmerizing

Joe Ihnat, 17.11.2011

The Mitsubishi J2M3 was called the Raiden, translated 'Thunderbolt', the Kawanishi N1K1-J was called the Shiden, translated 'Violet Lightning'and the Aichi B7A was called the Ryusei, translated 'Shooting Star'. But what was the Mitsubishi Ki-46 called? I'm not referring to its Allied identification codename,'Dinah', either.

jamie burgoyne, 24.05.2011

The last surviving 'dinah' is displayed at raf cosford, with the only complete ME410

Ronald, 21.06.2009

I read someplace that the Luftwaffe was interested in this plane. Imagine if something had come of that!

leo rudnicki, 28.04.2009

Like the Italian SVA-5 of WW1, Dinah could elude interception in the recon role but failed all attempts to achieve a combat role, such as done by by the Mosquito. As such, it could only provide the news that Japan was losing the war. Sure was a looker, tho.

Aero-Fox, 17.03.2008

It is a beautiful aircraft...if there's one thing Japan knew, it was how to design a striking airframe (at least as much so as the Germans).If tests of the turbo-equipped engine had been completed, the allies could have had problems...

ken nizam, 17.11.2006

This warbirds were extensively used over Malaya, the current Malaysia. It holds a significant degree in defining the todays Malaysia. It would be invaluable if any parts of the original 2 seaters Dinah can be obtained and displayed in the country. Any party with such information of such parts of Dinah is highly sought after by us, really. Regards